Winrock International Earns Gold Rating
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Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Winrock International Earns Gold Rating
Is First Office Building in Arkansas |
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Winrock International has earned the gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
program and is the first office building in Arkansas to receive this honor. The building is Winrock's new headquarters at 2101 Riverfront Drive, Little Rock. It
is one of only 70 facilities in the United States to earn the gold rating, and the second in Arkansas.
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"The gold rating is something we've worked hard to achieve, and I refer to all individuals and firms who have been a part of raising this building," said Frank Tugwell,
Winrock International president and chief executive officer. "Our building shows that it doesn't take a lot of money, just good planning and common sense to build green.
We've strived to build a structure that is good for people and the environment, and we've achieved both goals," he added. "Most importantly, the building illustrates
our commitment to Winrock's mission – increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment."
The Winrock building construction yielded another first. Nabholz Construction Corporation of Central Arkansas undertook its first large-scale construction waste recycling effort and diverted 78.8 percent of construction wastes from the landfill, some 49.5 tons. "LEED certified buildings represent the best practices of integrated building design and construction. Sustainable buildings benefit the community and building users while creating demand for - more - healthy products and higher performance standards,” USGBC local chapter President Mark Robertson, said. “We applaud the building owners and design teams that make sustainable principles a priority in their projects. Winrock’s achievement of LEED Gold places it in the company of an elite few new buildings across the country and is only the second of what I believe will be many in Arkansas."
"Exterior building features and the surroundings contribute significantly to the building’s low impact on the environment. The Winrock headquarters has a sweeping roof that reflects heat and drains rainwater into a cistern that funnels it back into the Arkansas River, reducing runoff to the city storm-sewer system. Other ‘friendly’ attributes include limited paving and use of materials that allow water to soak into the ground, minimal disruption of the site during construction, and hearty plant varieties that require less landscaping care. Expanses of glass give staff inside plenty of natural lighting and a view to the outside, both elements that enhance productivity. Natural light reduces the need for electricity and reduces costs, as does the raised floor that also improves ventilation. From the furniture and carpeting to the paint and adhesives, materials have favorable environmental properties and non-toxic benefits for staff. The structure makes use of recycled materials, $1.78 million of which came from within a 500-mile radius of Little Rock. Some 76.8 percent of the building’s $4,154,707 construction costs represent materials harvested or extracted within the same radius.
HOK Architects of New York created the building’s sustainable design. Horne Rose, LLC of New York managed the project including the Little Rock services of Cromwell Architects Engineers, Inc., development assistance from Irwin & Saviers, and landscaping design by Larson Burns & Smith. The Nabholz Construction Corporation of Central Arkansas served as the general contractor.
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